Solid-state imaging device and manufacturing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a transistor, and an element separation region separating the photoelectric conversion unit and the transistor. The photoelectric conversion unit and the transistor constitute a pixel. The element separation region is formed of a semiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to that of a source region and a drain region of the transistor. A part of a gate electrode of the transistor protrudes toward the element separation region side beyond an active region of the transistor. An insulating film having a thickness substantially the same as that of a gate insulating film of the gate electrode of the transistor is formed on the element separation region continuing from a part thereof under the gate electrode of the transistor to a part thereof continuing from the part under the gate electrode of the transistor.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation application of the U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/289,086, filed Nov. 4, 2011, which is a Continuation applicationof the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/153,023, filed May 13, 2008,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,072,015, issued on Dec. 6, 2011, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application JP 2007-148642 filed in theJapanese Patent Office on Jun. 4, 2007, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a solid-state imaging device and amanufacturing method thereof, particularly to a MOS-type solid-stateimaging device and a manufacturing method thereof.

Description of the Related Art

Solid-state imaging devices are broadly classified into acharge-transfer type solid-state imaging device represented by a CCD(Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and an amplifier-type solid stateimaging device represented by a MOS-type image sensor, such as a CMOS(Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and the like. Incomparing the CCD image sensor with the MOS-type image sensor, the CCDimage sensor generally requires a higher drive voltage for transferringsignal charges than the MOS-type image sensor does. The CCD image sensorthus has a higher power source voltage than the MOS-type image sensor.

Accordingly, the MOS-type image sensor, which is low in the power sourcevoltage as compared with the CCD image sensor, is more advantageous thanthe CCD image sensor from the viewpoint of power consumption. The likeis preferably used as the solid-state imaging device mounted in mobiledevices, such as a portable phone with a camera, or a PDA (PersonalDigital Assistant).

In the MOS-type image sensor, as a method of element separation,insulation and separation by a LOCOS (selective oxidation) elementseparation, an STI (Shallow Trench Isolation) separation, and the likeare known (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2002-270808). Also, an EDI separation is known, in whicha p-type diffusion layer is implanted into a silicon substrate, and athick oxide film is deposited thereupon (see K. Itonaga, IEDM Tech.Dig., P33-1, 2005).

FIG. 1 illustrates a MOS-type solid-state imaging device, in particular,the principal part thereof, employing the STI separation for the elementseparation region. Ina solid-state imaging device 10, for example, ap-type semiconductor well region 2 is formed in an n-type siliconsemiconductor substrate 1, a trench 3 is formed in the p-typesemiconductor well 2, and a silicon oxide (SiO2) layer 4 is embedded inthe trench 3, thereby forming a STI element separation region 5. Thesilicon oxide layer 4 is formed to protrude above an insulating film(for example, a silicon oxide film) 11 on the surface of thesemiconductor substrate 2. An n-type source/drain region 6 of a pixeltransistor (for example, an amplification transistor) is formed so as tobe separated by the STI element separation region 5, and also aphotodiode 7, which will be utilized as a photoelectric conversion unit,is formed. The photodiode 7 is configured as a so-called embedded-typephotodiode having an n-type charge accumulation region 8 and a p-typeaccumulation layer 9 for suppressing dark current on the surface of thecharge accumulation region 8. The p-type accumulation layer 9 is formedso as to contact the STI element separation region 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates a MOS-type solid imaging device, in particular, theprincipal part thereof, adopting the EDI separation for the elementseparation region. In a solid-state imaging device 13, for example, ap-type semiconductor well region 2 is formed in an n-type siliconsemiconductor substrate 1, a p-type diffusion layer 14 is formed in thep-type semiconductor well region 2, and a silicon oxide (SiO2) layer 15,which is wider than the p-type diffusion layer 14 and thicker than aninsulating film (for example, a silicon oxide film) 11 on the substratesurface, is formed on the p-type diffusion layer 14, thereby forming anEDI element separation region 16. An n-type source/drain region 6 of apixel transistor (for example, an amplification transistor) is formed soas to be separated by the EDI element separation region 16, and also aphotodiode 7, which will be utilized as a photoelectric conversion unit,is formed. The photodiode 7 is configured as a so-called embedded-typephotodiode having an n-type charge accumulation region 8 and a p-typeaccumulation layer 9 for suppressing dark current on the surface of thecharge accumulation region 8. The p-type accumulation layer 9 is formedso as to contact the p-type diffusion layer 14 of the EDI elementseparation region 16.

On the other hand, in the solid-state imaging device, the number ofpixels increases as the resolution is increased, and as the number ofpixels increases, each pixel itself is increasingly miniaturized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, as described above, recently in the MOS-type image sensor, ifthe pixel is miniaturized as the number of pixels increases, the area ofa photodiode as a photoelectric conversion unit is reduced, so that thecharacteristics such as the saturation charge amount (so-called maximumsignal charge amount handled), the sensitivity, and the like decreases.This trend is increasingly accelerated as the pixel is furtherminiaturized.

When the LOCOS element separation region, the STI element separationregion 5, or the EDI element separation region 16 described above, isused for the element separation region, due to the effects of the thicksilicon oxide film of the element separation region deposited on thesemiconductor substrate, it is difficult to form the n-type chargeaccumulation region 8 of the photodiode 7 in a position closer to theelement separation region 5 or 16 than in the present position thereof.That is, since it is difficult to reduce the distance between the n-typecharge accumulation region 8 and the element separation region 5 or 16any farther, the n-type charge accumulation region 8 may not be formedin a position closer to the element separation region 5 or 16 than inthe present position.

To solve the above-described and other problems, the invention providesa solid-state imaging device and a manufacturing method thereof, inwhich even if the pixel is miniaturized, the area ratio of thephotoelectric conversion unit per unit pixel area is increased, andthereby the characteristics such as the saturation charge amount, thesensitivity, and the like are improved.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a solid-state imagingdevice includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a transistor, and anelement separation region separating the photoelectric conversion unitand the transistor. The photoelectric conversion unit and the transistorconstitute a pixel. The element separation region is formed of asemiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to that of a sourceregion and a drain region of the transistor. Apart of a gate electrodeof the transistor protrudes toward the element separation region sidebeyond an active region of the transistor. An insulating film having athickness substantially the same as that of a gate insulating film ofthe gate electrode of the transistor is formed on the element separationregion continuing from a part thereof under the gate electrode of thetransistor to a part thereof continuing from the part under the gateelectrode of the transistor.

In the solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of theinvention, because the insulating film on the element separation regioncontinuing to the gate insulating film of the transistor has the filmthickness substantially the same as that of the gate insulating film, aflat insulating film having no step or bump is formed from the channelregion as an active region of the transistor to the element separationregion. Thereby, the gate electrode of the transistor can be formed suchthat the protrusion toward the element separation region becomes short,and the photoelectric conversion unit can be formed in a region closerto the transistor by that much.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method ofmanufacturing a solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-stateimaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a transistorthat constitute a pixel, and an element separation region formed of asemiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to that of a sourceregion and a drain region of the transistor. The method includes stepsof forming a gate electrode of the transistor such that a part thereofprotrudes outside beyond an active region of the transistor, and ionimplanting impurity for forming the element separation region using thegate electrode of the transistor as a part of a mask.

In the manufacturing method of a solid-state imaging device according toan embodiment of the invention, after forming gate electrodes of thetransistor, parts of which protrude beyond the active region of thetransistor, impurity for forming the element separation region is ionimplanted using the gate electrodes of the transistor as parts of amask, so that the element separation region in the vicinity of the gateelectrodes protruding toward the element separation region can be formedby self alignment. Accordingly, the photoelectric conversion unit can beformed closer to the transistor.

According to the solid-state imaging device and the manufacturing methodthereof, according to embodiments of the invention, the photoelectricconversion unit and the transistor can be formed in regions closer toeach other, so that the area ratio of the photoelectric conversion unitper unit pixel area can be increased, and the solid-state imaging devicein which the characteristics such as the saturation charge amount, thesensitivity, and the like have been enhanced can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section illustrating the principal part of anexemplary solid-state imaging device adopting a known STI elementseparation.

FIG. 2 is a cross section illustrating the principal part of anexemplary solid-state imaging device adopting a known EDI elementseparation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary MOS-type imagesensor, to which the invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a circuitconfiguration of a unit pixel.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating another example of the circuitconfiguration of the unit pixel.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a pixel array of a solid-stateimaging device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross section on an A-A line of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross section on a B-B line of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross section on a C-C line of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a cross section on a D-D line of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of an example of an equivalent circuit fortwo-pixel sharing.

FIG. 12 is a plane view of a pixel transistor part and an elementseparation region part of the pixel array for explaining the invention.

FIG. 13 is a plane view of an element separation region according to thefirst embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross section on a B-B line of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a plane view illustrating a state that a leak current isgenerated.

FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B area plane view and a cross section illustratingan example of a gate electrode of a pixel transistor.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B area plane view and a cross section illustratinganother example of a gate electrode of a pixel transistor.

FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B area plane view and a cross section illustratinganother example of a gate electrode of a pixel transistor.

FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are a plane view and a cross section illustratinganother example of a gate electrode of a pixel transistor.

FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B are a plane view and a cross section illustratinganother example of a gate electrode of a pixel transistor.

FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are a plane view and a cross section illustratinganother example of a gate electrode of a pixel transistor.

FIG. 22 is a volt-ampere curve of gate voltage Vg and drain current Idcomparing a solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of theinvention and a known solid-state imaging device.

FIG. 23 is a cross section illustrating a pixel transistor having a STIelement separation region.

FIG. 24 is a cross section illustrating a pixel transistor having a flattype element separation region.

FIG. 25 is a cross section on a line of the principal part of asolid-state imaging device according to the second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 26 is a cross section on another line of the principal part of thesolid-state imaging device according to the second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 27 is a cross section on a line of the principal part of asolid-state imaging device according to the third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 28 is a cross section on another line of the principal part of thesolid-state imaging device according to the third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 29 is a cross section on a line of the principal part of asolid-state imaging device according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 30 is a cross section on another line of the principal part of thesolid-state imaging device according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 31 is a cross section of the principal part of a solid-stateimaging device according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 32 is a cross section of the principal part of a solid-stateimaging device according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 33 is a cross section of the principal part of a solid-stateimaging device according to the seventh embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 34 is a cross section of the principal part of a solid-stateimaging device according to the eighth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 35A and FIG. 35B are plane views for explaining processes of amanufacturing method of a solid-state imaging device, according to thefirst embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, and FIG. 36C are cross sections for explaining theprocesses of the manufacturing method of a solid-state imaging device,according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B are plane views for explaining processes of amanufacturing method of a solid-state imaging device, according to thesecond embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 38A and FIG. 38B are cross sections for explaining a first part ofprocesses of a manufacturing method of a solid-state imaging device,according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 39C and FIG. 39D are cross sections for explaining a second part ofthe processes of the manufacturing method of a solid-state imagingdevice, according to the third embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Examples of preferred embodiments of the invention will now be describedwith reference to drawings. The invention is not limited to the examplesdescribed below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary amplifier-type solidstate imaging device, for example, a MOS-type image sensor, to which theinvention is applied. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a MOS-type image sensor20 according to this example includes a unit pixel 21 including aphotodiode as a photoelectric conversion unit, a pixel array unit 22 inwhich the pixels 21 are arranged two-dimensionally in a regular manner,a vertical selection circuit 23, a column circuit 24 as a signalprocessing circuit, a horizontal selection circuit 25, a horizontalsignal line 26, an output circuit 27, a timing generator 28, and thelike and is configured as an area sensor.

In the pixel array unit 22, for example, a vertical signal line 121 isarranged for each column of pixel arrangement in a matrix state. Thespecific configuration of the unit pixel 21 will be described later. Thevertical selection circuit 23 includes a shift resistor, and the like.The vertical selection circuit 23 sequentially outputs control signals,such as transfer signals driving a readout transistor 112 of the pixel21 (hereinafter, called a transfer transistor, and a readout gateelectrode is called a transfer gate electrode) (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5)and reset signals driving a reset transistor 113 (see FIG. 4 and FIG.5), in units of lines, to selectively drive the pixels 21 of the pixelarray unit 22 in units of lines.

The column circuit 24 is a signal processing circuit arranged for pixelsin the vertical direction, i.e., for each vertical signal line 121, andincludes an S/H (sample and hold) circuit, a CDS (Correlated DoubleSampling) circuit, and the like. The horizontal selection circuit 25includes a shift register, and the like and sequentially selects signalsof respective pixels 21 outputted through the column circuit 24 andoutputs the signals to the horizontal signal line 26. Note that in FIG.3, for the simplicity of figure, illustration of horizontal selectionswitches is omitted. The horizontal selection switches are sequentiallyturned on and off in units of columns by the horizontal selectioncircuit 25.

Signals of unit pixels 21 sequentially outputted from the column circuit24 in units of columns, based on selection driving by the horizontalselection circuit 25, are supplied to the output circuit 27 through thehorizontal signal line 26. After having been applied with signalprocessing, such as amplification, and the like in the output circuit27, the signals are outputted to the outside of the device. The timinggenerator 28 generates various timing signals to drive and control thevertical selection circuit 23, the column circuit 24, and the horizontalselection circuit 25, based on these timing signals.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a circuitconfiguration of the unit pixel 21. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a unitpixel 21A according to this example is configured as a pixel circuitincluding, in addition to a photoelectric conversion unit, for example,a photodiode 111, three pixel transistors, which are transfer transistor112, reset transistor 113, and an amplification transistor 114. In thisexample, n-channel MOS transistors are used for the pixel transistors112, 113, 114.

The transfer transistor 112 is connected between a cathode of thephotodiode 111 and an FD (floating diffusion) unit 116, and transferssignal charges (in this example, electrons) photo-electrically convertedby the photodiode 111 and accumulated therein, to be transferred to theFD unit 116 based upon a transfer pulse φTRG given to the gate.

The reset transistor 113, the drain thereof is connected to a selectivepower source SELVDD and the source thereof is connected to the FD unit116, respectively, resetting the potential of the FD unit 116 based on areset pulse φRST given to the gate prior to transferring a signal chargefrom the photodiode 111 to the FD unit 116. The selective power sourceSELVDD selects a VDD level and a GND level for the power source voltage.

The amplification transistor 114 has a source follower configuration inwhich the gate is connected to the FD unit 116, the drain connected tothe selective power source SELVDD, and the source connected to thevertical signal line 121, respectively. The amplification transistor 114starts to operate when the selective power source SELVDD selects the VDDlevel, thereby selecting the pixel 21A, and outputs the potential of theFD unit 116 obtained after being reset by the reset transistor 113 tothe vertical signal line 121 as a reset level. Further, theamplification transistor 114 outputs the potential of the FD unit 116after having transferred a signal charge with the transfer transistor112, to the vertical signal line 121 as a signal level.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating another example of the circuitconfiguration of the unit pixel 21. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a unitpixel 21B according to this example is configured as a pixel circuitincluding, in addition to a photoelectric conversion unit, a photodiode111, four pixel transistors, examples of which include a transfertransistor 112, a reset transistor 113, an amplification transistor 114,and a selection transistor 115. In this example, n-channel MOStransistors can be employed as for the pixel transistors 112, 113, 114,and 115.

The transfer transistor 112 is connected between a cathode of thephotodiode 111 and an FD unit 116, and transfers signal charges (in thisexample, electrons), photo-electrically converted by the photodiode 111and accumulated therein, to be transferred to the FD unit 116 based upona transfer pulse φTRG given to the gate.

The reset transistor 113, the drain thereof connected to a power sourceVDD, and the drain thereof connected the FD unit 116, respectively,resets the potential of the FD unit 116, prior to transferring a signalcharge from the photodiode 111 to the FD unit 116, based on a resetpulse φRST given to the gate.

The selection transistor 115, the drain connected to the power sourceVDD, and the source connected to the drain of the amplificationtransistor 114, respectively, turn ON when a selection pulse φSEL issupplied to the gate, and supplies power source voltage to theamplification transistor 114 to select the pixel 21B. Note that theselection transistor 115 may be connected between the source of theamplification transistor 114 and the vertical signal line 121.

The amplification transistor 114 has the source follower configurationin which the gate is connected to the FD unit 116, the drain isconnected to the source of the selection circuit 115, and the source isconnected to the vertical signal line 121, respectively. Theamplification transistor 114 outputs the potential of the FD unit 116after being reset by the reset transistor 113 to the vertical signalline 121 as a reset level. Further, the amplification transistor 114outputs the potential of the FD unit 116 after having transferred asignal charge with the transfer transistor 112, to the vertical signalline 121 as a signal level.

For the pixel array unit 22, various layouts may be applied, such as alayout in which unit pixels are arranged as described above, a layout inwhich pixel transistors other than the transfer transistor are shared bya plurality of pixels (for example, two pixels, four pixels)(hereinafter called pixel sharing), and the like.

Next, an example of the pixel array unit according to an embodiment ofthe invention that will be applied to the above-described pixel arrayunit 22 is described.

FIGS. 6 to 10 each illustrate an example of a solid-state imagingdevice, a MOS-type image sensor in this example, according to a firstembodiment of the invention. The MOS-type image sensor in thisembodiment includes the pixel array unit 22 in which pixel transistorsare shared by two pixels.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary layout of a pixel array in which pixeltransistors are shared by two pixels. In this example, as illustrated inFIG. 6, a first photodiode (PD1) 32 and a second photodiode (PD2) 33 asphotoelectric conversion units are connected with a common FD unit 34,which is formed by a first conductivity-type, an n-type in this example,semiconductor region (diffusion layer), through respective gate unitsincluding gate insulating films of transfer transistors TrG1 and TrG2 aswell as transfer gate electrodes 37, 38. In addition, a reset transistorTrRST, an amplification transistor TrAMP, and a selection transistorTrSEL, which are mutually connected, are formed to sandwich an elementseparation region 35 with a region where the first and secondphotodiodes 32, 33 and the transfer transistors TrG1, TrG2 have beenformed. These two-pixel sharing configurations are arrangedtwo-dimensionally in a regular manner.

The reset transistor TrRST is formed by n-type semiconductor regions(diffusion layers) 43, 44, which will be utilized as source and drainregions, and a reset gate electrode 39 formed through a gate insulatingfilm. The amplification transistor TrAMP is formed of n-typesemiconductor regions (diffusion layers) 44, 45, which will be utilizedas source and drain regions, and an amplification gate electrode 40formed through a gate insulating film. The selection transistor TrSEL isformed by n-type semiconductor regions (diffusion layers) 45, 46, whichwill be utilized as source and drain regions, and a selection gateelectrode 41 formed through a gate insulating film.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an equivalent circuit for two-pixelsharing. In this embodiment, the circuit includes two photodiodes 32,33, two transfer transistors TrG1, TrG2, one FD unit 34, a shared resettransistor TrRST, amplification transistor TrAMP, and a selectiontransistor TrSEL.

The first and second photodiode 32, 33 are connected to the common FDunit 34 through the transfer transistors TrG1, TrG2. Transfer pulsesφTRG1, φTRG2 are supplied to the gates of the first and second transfertransistor TrG1, TrG2.

The FD unit 34 is connected to the gate of the amplification transistorTrAMP and also to the source of the reset transistor TrRST. The drain ofthe reset transistor TrRST is connected to a power source VDD. A resetpulse φRST is supplied to the gate of the reset transistor TrRST.

The drain of the amplification transistor TrAMP is connected with thepower source VDD, and the source of the amplification transistor TrAMPis connected to the drain of the selection transistor TrSEL. The sourceof the selection transistor TrSEL is connected to the vertical signalline 121, and a selection pulse φSEL is supplied to the gate of theselection transistor TrSEL.

The operation of one pixel in this circuit configuration is basicallysubstantially the same as described with reference to FIG. 5. In thiscircuit configuration, charges photo-electrically converted by thephotodiodes 32, 33 are sequentially read out to the FD unit 34 atcertain time intervals, converted to pixel signals in the amplificationtransistor TrAMP, and read out to the vertical signal line 121 throughthe selection transistor TrSEL. After having been converted to pixelsignals, the charges read out to the FD unit 34 are reset through thereset transistor TrRST.

In this embodiment, the first and second photodiodes 32, 33 sharingpixel transistors are configured as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10(cross section on a D-D line of FIG. 6) by forming a secondconductivity-type, for example a p-type, semiconductor well region 52 ina first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate 51, in this example,an n-type silicon substrate, and by also forming, in this p-typesemiconductor well region 52, an n-type semiconductor region (diffusionlayer) which will be utilized as a charge accumulation region 53. Ap-type accumulation layer 54 is also formed for suppressing dark currenton the charge accumulation region 53. The photodiodes 32, 33 aresymmetrically formed to sandwich the common FD unit 34 including acommon n-type semiconductor region (diffusion layer) formed in thep-type semiconductor well region 52.

The first transfer transistor TrG1 includes the transfer gate electrode37 formed on a gate insulating film 56, with the first photodiode 32utilized as the source and the common FD unit 34 including the n-typesemiconductor region utilized as the drain. The second transfertransistor TrG2 includes the transfer gate electrode 38 formed on thegate insulating film 56, with the second photodiode 33 utilized as thesource and the common FD unit 34 utilized as the drain.

The reset transistor TrRST, the amplification transistor TrAMP, and theselection transistor TrSEL are configured as illustrated in FIG. 6 andFIG. 9 (cross section on a C-C line of FIG. 6). That is, the resettransistor TrRST includes the first and second n-type source and drainregions 43, 44 formed in the p-type semiconductor well region 52 and thereset gate electrode 39 formed through the gate insulating film 56. Theamplification transistor TrAMP includes the second and third n-typesource and drain regions 44, 45 formed in the p-type semiconductor wellregion 52 and the amplification gate electrode 40 formed through thegate insulating film 56. The selection TrSEP includes the third andfourth n-type source and drain regions 45, 46 formed in the p-typesemiconductor well region 52 and the selection gate electrode 41 formedthrough the gate insulating film 56.

The pixel array in this example is laid out such that as illustrated inFIG. 6, regions including two photodiodes 32, 33 and two transfertransistors TrG1, TrG2 are arranged two-dimensionally in horizontal andvertical directions, and between rows of these regions including twophotodiodes 32, 33 and two transfer transistors TrG1, TrG2 (betweenadjacent rows in the vertical direction), a region including the resettransistor TrRST, the amplification transistor TrAMP, and the selectiontransistor TrSEL is arranged.

Then, the element separation region 35 is formed between the regionincluding the photodiodes 32, 33 and the transfer transistors TrG1,TrG2, between the region including the reset transistor TrRST, theamplification transistor TrAMP, and the selection transistor TrSEL, andalso between adjacent pixels (see FIG. 6).

The gate insulating film 56 of respective pixel transistors (thetransfer transistors TrG1, TrG2, the reset transistor TrRST, theamplification transistor TrAMP, and the selection transistor TrSEL) maybe formed of a silicon oxide (SiO2) film by heat oxidation. The gateelectrodes 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 of the pixel transistors TrG1, TrG2,TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL may be formed of a polysilicon film, for example.The gate electrodes 37 to 41 of the pixel transistors TrG1, TrG2, TrRST,TrAMP, TrSEL are formed to cover channel regions 50 of the pixeltransistors TrG1, TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL, with parts thereofprotruded over the element separation region 35 beyond a width W1 in thechannel width direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to thechannel length) of source regions S and drain regions D (34, 43 to 46).A protrusion length d1 of a protrusion 62 extending over the elementseparation region 35 of each of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 is formedas short as possible as described later.

Further, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7 (cross section onan A-A line of FIG. 6) and FIG. 8 (cross section on a B-B line of FIG.6), the element separation region 35 is formed by a semiconductor region61 of a counter-conductive type to the source regions and the drainregions of the pixel transistors. That is, in this example, the elementseparation region 35 is formed with the p-type semiconductor region 61.Further, parts of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 of the pixel transistorsprotrude toward the element separation region 35 side beyond the channelregions that become active regions of the pixel transistors. On theelement separation region 35 continuing from parts thereof underprotrusions (extended parts) 62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41extending over the element separation region 35 (see FIG. 12), aninsulating film 57 having the thickness substantially the same as thatof the gate insulating film 56 is formed. That is, as an insulating filmextending from the channel regions 50 of the pixel transistors (in FIG.7, the amplification transistor TrAMP) to the element separation region35 is actually formed by the gate insulating film 56 and is eventuallyformed in a flat state having no step or bump.

In other words, in the region from the channel regions 50 to the elementseparation region 50, an insulating film thicker than the gateinsulating film 56 will not be formed.

The gate electrodes 37 to 41 are formed on the flat insulating films 56,57 (so-called gate insulating films) extending from the channel regions50 to the element separation region 35. Even if the pixel isminiaturized and the channel region width of each transistor isminiaturized, because the gate insulating film 56 and the insulatingfilm 57 on the element separation region 35 are formed in the samethickness, the gate electrodes 37 to 41 are formed as electrodes of highreliability and high quality, without producing an air hole in theelectrode film constituting the gate electrodes 37 to 41.

The photodiodes 32, 33 are formed to locate them as closely as possibleto the regions of the pixel transistors so as to enlarge respectiveareas. Therefore, the p-type semiconductor region 61 of the elementseparation region 35 is formed in a relatively narrow width W2, and thephotodiodes 32, 33 are formed so as to contact the element separationregion 35. In this case, the gate electrodes 37 to 41 are formed suchthat the protrusion length d1 of the protrusions 62 extending over theelement separation region 35 is formed as short as possible (see FIG. 7)so as not to reach the photodiodes 32, 33.

The reason for this is as follows. Because the insulating film 57 on theelement separation region 35 is formed in the thickness comparable tothat of the gate insulating film 56, if the protrusions 62 over theelement separation region 35 of the gate electrode 37 to 41 are formedto reach the photodiodes 32, 33, a parasitic transistor is generatedbetween the photodiodes 32, 33 and the channel regions 50 of the pixeltransistors. If such a parasitic transistor is generated, charges of thephotodiodes 32, 33 are drawn toward the pixel transistors when the pixeltransistors are turned on. To prevent this, the protrusions 62 extendingover the element separation region 35 are formed short so as not toreach the photodiodes 32, 33.

On the other hand, the p-type semiconductor region 61, which will beutilized as the element separation region 35, is formed by ionimplanting p-type impurity after forming the gate electrodes 37 to 41,using the gate electrodes 37 to 41 as parts of a mask for ionimplantation. In the element separation region 35 in the vicinity of thegate electrodes, the p-type semiconductor region 61 is formed byself-alignment. Thereby, the protrusion length d1 of the gate electrodes37 to 41, that is, the protrusion amount, is made short, and the elementseparation region 35 in the predetermined width W2 is formed between thegate electrodes 37 to 41 and the photodiodes 32, 33 (see FIG. 7).

The formation process of the element separation region 35 will bedescribed later, however, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6 throughFIG. 10, as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 (cross section on a B-Bline of FIG. 13), the first ion implantation of p-type impurity iscarried out before formation of the gate electrodes 37 to 41, and afterforming the gate electrodes 37 to 41, the second ion implantation ofp-type impurity is carried out, and thereby the element separationregion 35 is formed. The impurity density naturally becomes higher inthe region in which ion implantation has been carried out twice.

As described later (see FIG. 15), it is preferable to determine the ionimplantation conditions, in particular, the dose amount for the elementseparation region 35 so as not to cause to produce current paths of leakcurrents i1, i2 from each of the pixel transistors. The impurity densityof the element separation region 35 is set equal to or below 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻²in the dose amount. If the impurity density exceeds 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻², theelectric field is relatively high and dark current increases. Here, itis preferable to set the impurity density of the element separationregion 35 equal to or greater than 1×10¹³ cm⁻² in the dose amount. Ifthe impurity density is equal to or greater than 1×10¹³ cm⁻², leakcurrent is prevented from being generated and element separation can bestably performed. When forming the element separation region 35 byimplementing ion implantation twice as described above, for example, theimpurity density for the first ion implantation may be set on the orderof 10¹² cm⁻² and for the second ion implantation, it may be set on theorder of 1×10¹³ cm⁻². As a specific example, by determining the impuritydensity for the first ion implantation at 1×10¹² cm⁻² and for the secondion implantation at 1×10¹³ cm⁻², sufficient element separation can beachieved. A p-type semiconductor region 61 a of relatively low densityis formed by the first ion implantation and a p-type semiconductorregion 61 b of relatively high density is formed by the second ionimplantation (see FIG. 14). By ion implanting p-type impurity forexample of 1×10¹² cm⁻² in the dose amount under the protrusions 62 ofthe gate electrodes, generation of dark current and white spots underthe protrusions 62 is prevented.

To the channel regions 50 of the pixel transistors, ion implantation ofimpurity for adjusting a threshold voltage Vt is carried out. This ionimplantation for adjusting the threshold voltage Vt is carried out toregions of the same width as that in the channel width direction of thesource regions and the drain regions, or to regions inside of suchregions. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 17, ion implantation foradjusting the threshold voltage Vt is carried out to the inside of theabove-described width W1 of the source regions S and the drain regions Dto form the effective channel regions 50 with a width W3 inside of theabove-described width W1 of the source regions S and the drain regionsD. By making the width W3 of the effective channel regions 50 narrowerthan the width W1 of the source regions S and the drain regions D, whenthe pixel transistors are turned on, currents flow through the channelregions 50, and the leak currents i1 turning around under theprotrusions 62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 can be more effectivelyprevented. Further, the leak currents i2 from the pixel transistorsTrG1, TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL to the adjacent photodiodes 32, 33 canbe also more effectively prevented.

The impurity density of the source regions S and the drain regions D ofthe pixel transistors TrG1, TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL is preferably setin the range from 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² to 1×10¹⁵ cm⁻² in the dose amount. To formohmic electrodes in the source regions S and the drain regions D, theimpurity density equal to 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² or greater may be required. On theother hand, if the electric field intensity of the source regions S andthe drain regions D becomes stronger, electrons generated due to thestrong electric field are flown into the photodiodes 32, 33. To preventthis phenomenon, the impurity density is preferably 1×10¹⁵ cm⁻² orbelow.

In each of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 of the pixel transistors TrG1,TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL, a first portion 63 corresponding to thechannel region 50 and a second portion (protrusion) 62 extending fromthe channel region 50 toward the element separation region 35 may beformed of the same or different materials. The gate electrodes 37 to 41may be formed of, for example, polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or thelike, (formed of polysilicon in this example) and impurities may beintroduced to the first portions 63 and the second portions 62 in thesame or different fashion. FIG. 16 to FIG. 21 each illustrate examplesthereof. Note that S denotes a source region, D denotes a drain region,and numeral 35 denotes an element separation region.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, the first portions63 and the second portions 62 of the gates electrodes 37 to 41 areformed by an p⁺ polysilicon into which an p-type impurity has beenintroduced.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B, the first portions63 and the second portions 62 of the gates electrodes 37 to 41 areformed of an n⁺ polysilicon into which an n-type impurity has beenintroduced.

In the examples illustrated in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B, the first portions63 of the gates electrodes 37 to 41 are formed of an n⁺ polysilicon intowhich an n-type impurity has been introduced The second portions 62 areformed of an p⁺ polysilicon into which an p-type impurity has beenintroduced (the first portion 63 and the second portion 62 are formed ofthe n-type polysilicon and the p-type polysilicon, respectively).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, the first portions63 of the gates electrodes 37 to 41 are formed of an p⁺ polysilicon intowhich an p-type impurity has been introduced. The second portions 62 areformed of an n⁺ polysilicon into which an n-type impurity has beenintroduced (the first portion and the second portion are formed of thep-type polysilicon and the n-type polysilicon, respectively).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B, the first portions63 of the gates electrodes 37 to 41 are formed of a n⁺ polysilicon intowhich an n-type impurity has been introduced, and the second portions 62are formed of non-doped polysilicon (the first portion and the secondportion are formed of the n-type polysilicon and the non-dopedpolysilicon, respectively).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B, the first portions63 of the gates electrodes 37 to 41 are formed of p⁺ polysilicons intowhich p-type impurities have been introduced, and the second portions 62are formed of non-doped polysilicon (the first portion and the secondportion are formed of the p-type polysilicon and the non-dopedpolysilicon, respectively).

In a MOS-type image sensor according to the first embodiment of theinvention, the insulating films 56, 57 in substantially the samethickness are formed in the region from the channel region 50 of a pixeltransistor to the element separation region 35. The insulating film 57on the element separation region 35 is formed substantially integrallywith the gate insulating film 56 by heat oxidation. Accordingly, theinsulating films 56, 57 that are flat without any step (i.e., withoutany seam) are formed from the channel region 50 to the elementseparation region 35. Because the insulating films 56, 57 are flat, thegate electrodes 37 to 41, in which the protrusion length d1 over theelement separation region 35 has a relatively short length, and yet ofhigh reliability and quality can be formed thereupon. That is, filmformation of polysilicon, which will be utilized as gate electrodes, canbe satisfactorily carried out, and patterning of a minute pattern can becarried out. Therefore, gate electrodes having no air hole in theelectrode film with high insulating reliability are formed. Thereby, ascompared with the known examples adopting the LOCOS element separation,the STI element separation, or the EDI element separation, thephotodiodes 32, 33 can be formed in regions closer to the transistorformation region, and the area ratio of the photodiodes 32, 33 per unitpixel area can be increased. Even if the pixel is miniaturized, becauseit becomes possible to increase the photodiode area, characteristicssuch as the saturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like canbe improved.

On the other hand, because the protrusion length d1 extends over theelement separation region 35 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 can have arelatively short length, generation of a parasitic transistor can beprevented between the pixel transistors and the photodiodes. Further,because formation of the p-type semiconductor region 61 of the elementseparation region 35 can be carried out by self-alignment in thevicinity of the protrusions by means of ion implantation using the gateelectrodes 37 to 41 as parts of the mask for ion implantation, theelement separation region separating the photodiodes and the transistorscan be formed with accuracy.

By making the impurity density of the p-type semiconductor region 61forming the element separation region 35 equal to or greater than 1×10¹³cm⁻², for example, on the order of 10¹³ cm⁻², the leak currents i2 fromthe pixel transistors to the photodiodes 32, 33 and the leak currents i1due to turning around in the pixel transistors, illustrated in FIG. 15,can be prevented.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 15, by ion implanting impurity foradjusting the threshold voltage Vt so as to be preferably inside of thewidth W1 in the channel width direction of the source regions S and thedrain regions D in the channel regions 50, the leak currents i1, i2 canbe prevented.

In this embodiment, as described above, if the photodiodes 32, 33 arebrought to a position closer to the pixel transistors, the leak currentsi1, i2 can still be prevented, and hence the gate electrodes 37 to 41can be formed of polysilicon into which an n-type impurity or an p-typeimpurity has been introduced as illustrated in FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, FIG.17A, and FIG. 17B. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B, FIG.19A, FIG. 19B, FIG. 20A, FIG. 20B, FIG. 21A, and FIG. 21B, when formingthe first portions 63 corresponding to the channel regions 50, thesecond portions (protrusions) 62 corresponding to the element separationregion 35 (of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 with the materials differentfrom each other), and the gate electrodes 37 to 41 in the combinedconfiguration of n-type, p-type, and non-doped polysilicon, the gatevoltage is not applied to the second portions 62 even if gate voltage isapplied to the gate electrodes 37 to 41. That is, pn junctions areformed in the boundaries of the first portions 63 and the secondportions 62, or the second portions 62 become highly resistive becausethe second portions 62 are non-doped to be operated essentially asinsulators, so that the gate voltage is not applied to the secondportions 62. Accordingly, generation of a parasitic transistor makingthe second portion 62 as a parasitic gate is further prevented. Thereby,leakage of charges from the channel regions to the element separationregion 35 or leakage of charges to adjacent pixels can be further surelyprevented.

FIG. 22 illustrates an evaluation result of a volt-ampere characteristicof a gate voltage Vg and a drain current Id of a single pixeltransistor. A characteristic curve I indicates a case of a known pixeltransistor Tr having an STI element separation region 5 illustrated inFIG. 23, and a characteristic curve II indicates a case of a pixeltransistor Tr in this embodiment having a so-called flat-type elementseparation region 35 illustrated in FIG. 24. In the characteristic curveI, there is a hump “a”, because there is a step in a seam 103 of aninsulating layer 4 of the STI element separation region 5 and a gateinsulating film 101. In the characteristic curve II, there is no humpand the characteristic is linear, because there is no step in the borderof an insulating layer 57 of the element separation region 35 and a gateinsulating film 56.

As in the STI element separation configuration, if the seam 103 existsbetween the gate insulating film 101 and the thick insulating film 4,stress and damage are caused and insulating reliability is deteriorated.Therefore, electrons are trapped and de-trapped in the boundary face ofthe silicon and the oxide film, so that fluctuation is caused, and basedon the fluctuation, 1/f noise becomes easily generated. In contrast, inthis embodiment, because the gate insulating film 56 and the insulatingfilm 57 are continuously and flatly formed, there is no seam between thegate insulating film 56 and the insulating film 57 on the elementseparation region 35, so that the prevention of 1/f noise is remarkablyimproved. The Vg-Id characteristic of FIG. 22 demonstrates this point.

FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 illustrate a solid-state imaging device, in thisexample, a MOS-type image sensor, according to the second embodiment ofthe invention. In particular, another example of the element separationregion 35 is illustrated. FIG. 25 is a cross section on the B-B line ofFIG. 13, and FIG. 26 is a cross section on the C-C line of FIG. 13. Inthis embodiment, after forming the gate electrodes 37 to 41, the p-typeimpurity region 61 is formed with the first ion implantation of impurityand thereby the element separation region 35 is formed. In this case,the impurity is not implanted under the protrusions 62 extending towardthe element separation region 35 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41.Instead, the p-type impurity is diffused again from the elementseparation region 35 on each side of the gate electrodes 37 to to becomea low density p-type region. The p-type semiconductor well region 52 isformed in the n-type silicon substrate 51, however, the n-type of thesilicon substrate 51 remains on parts of the semiconductor surface justunder the protrusions 62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41. There is ahigh possibility that the parts of the n-type semiconductor surface justunder the protrusions 62 become low-density p-type regions because ofdiffusion of the p-type impurity from surroundings. The impurity densityof the element separation region 35 is set, as in the previouslydescribed embodiment, equal to or below 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻², preferably, equalto or greater than 1×10¹³ cm⁻². Other parts of the configurations arethe same as that in the first embodiment.

In the MOS-type image sensor according to the second embodiment also, itis possible to expand the photodiode area by bringing the photodiodes32, 33 closer to the pixel transistors, and thereby the characteristicssuch as the saturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like canbe enhanced. In addition, the effects similar to those in the firstembodiment are produced.

FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 illustrate a solid-state imaging device, in thisexample, a MOS-type image sensor, according to the third embodiment ofthe invention. The figures illustrate in particular another example ofthe region including photodiodes, an element separation region, andpixel transistors. FIG. 27 is a cross section on the B-B line of FIG.13, and FIG. 26 is a cross section on an E-E line of FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, before forming the gate electrodes 37 to 41 of thepixel transistors TrG1, TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL, a first p-typesemiconductor region 61 a constituting the element separation region isformed by the first ion implantation of p-type impurity. After formingthe gate electrodes 37 to 41, the p-type accumulation layers 54 of thephotodiodes 31, 32 and a second p-type semiconductor region 61 b, whichwill be utilized as the element separation region, are integrallyformed. That is, the n-type charge accumulation region 53 is formed onthe photodiode side, and the n-type source regions and drain regions areformed on the pixel transistor side. Then, in the regions correspondingto the element separation region 35 between the photodiodes 32, 33 andthe pixel transistors TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL and the element separationregion 35 between the adjacent pixels, the first ion implantation ofp-type impurity is thoroughly carried out to form the first p-typesemiconductor region 61 a. Then, after forming the gate insulating film56, the insulating film 57 and the gate electrodes 37 to 41, using thegate electrodes 37 to 41 for parts of the mask for ion implantation, thesecond p-type semiconductor region 61 b of the element separation region35 is formed at the same time, together with the p-type accumulationlayer 54, on the surfaces of the element separation region 35 and then-type charge accumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32,33, by thesecond ion implantation of p-type impurity. That is, by means of thecommon second ion implantation, the p-type accumulation layer 54 and thesecond p-type semiconductor region 61 b of the element separation region35 are formed.

In the first ion implantation, similar to the previous embodiments, thedose amount is set on the order of 10¹² cm⁻². In the second ionimplantation also, as in the previous embodiments, the dose amount isset equal to or below 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻², preferably, equal to or greater than1×10¹³ cm⁻². As the impurity density is necessary for elementseparation, it is proper, as described above, if it is equal to orgreater than 1×10¹³ cm⁻² in the dose amount, for example, if it is onthe order of 10¹³ cm⁻². On the other hand, the impurity density of thep-type accumulation layer 54 is also sufficient if it is equal to orgreater than 1×10¹³ cm⁻², for example, if it is on the order of 1×10¹³cm⁻². Accordingly, it becomes possible to form the accumulation layer 54and the second p-type semiconductor region 61 b of the elementseparation region by the same ion implantation.

Other parts of the configurations are similar to that described in thefirst embodiment, so that the description thereof is omitted.

According to the MOS-type image sensor in the third embodiment of theinvention, as in the previous embodiments, the areas of the photodiodes32, 33 can be expanded by bringing the photodiodes 32, 33 in positionscloser to the pixel transistors, and thereby the characteristics such asthe saturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like can beenhanced. In addition, because the second p-type semiconductor region 61b and the p-type accumulation layer 54 on the photodiode side arecontinuously and integrally formed by means of the second ionimplantation for forming the element separation region 35, pixels ofhigh degree of accuracy can be obtained. That is, as compared with thecase that three times of ion implantation are carried out, that is,twice of ion implantation for the element separation region 35 and ionimplantation for the p-type accumulation layers 54 of the photodiodes32, 33, there are advantages that the positional deviation caused whenthe ion implantation is carried out becomes less by one time andsuperimposition of the photodiode 32, 33 and the element separationregion 35 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, expansion of the areas of thephotodiode 32, 33 is assured that much. Further, the effects similar tothose in the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 illustrate a solid-state imaging device, in thisexample, a MOS-type image sensor, according to the fourth embodiment ofthe invention. In particular, another embodiment of a region includingphotodiodes, an element separation region, and pixel transistors isillustrated. FIG. 29 is a cross section on the B-B line of FIG. 13, andFIG. 30 is a cross section on the E-E line of FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, after forming the gate electrodes 37 to 41, thep-type accumulation layers 54 of the photodiodes 32, 33 and the p-typesemiconductor region 61 that becomes the element separation region 35are integrally formed by the first ion implantation of p-type impurity.In this ion implantation, as in the previous embodiments, the doseamount is set equal to or below 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻², preferably equal to orgreater than 1×10¹³ cm⁻² on the order of 10¹³ cm⁻². In this case, thep-type impurity is not implanted under the protrusions 62 toward theelement separation region 35 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41. However,in the following process, the p-type impurity from the surroundingelement separation region 35 is diffused under the protrusions 62 of thegate electrodes 37 to 41.

Other parts of the configurations are substantially the same as thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 and that in the firstembodiment, and the descriptions thereof are thus omitted.

In the MOS-type image sensor according to the fourth embodiment also,the areas of the photodiodes 32, 33 can be expanded by bringing thephotodiodes 32, 33 closer to the pixel transistors, and thecharacteristics such the saturation charge amount, the sensitivity, andthe like can be enhanced. In addition, because the p-type semiconductorregion 61 of the element separation region 35 and the p-typeaccumulation layer 54 on the photodiode side are continuously andintegrally formed by one time of ion implantation of the p-typeimpurity, as compared with the case having twice of ion implantation,the number of processes decreases and production becomes simplified.Therefore, pixels of high degree of accuracy can be obtained. Inaddition, the effects similar to those in the first embodiment areproduced.

FIG. 31 illustrates a solid-state imaging device, in this example, a MOSimage sensor, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. Inparticular, a region including photodiodes, an element separationregion, and pixel transistors is illustrated. FIG. 31 is a cross sectionon the B-B line of FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, before forming the gate electrodes 37 to 41 of thepixel transistors, the first ion implantation of an p-type impurity iscarried out to form the first p-type semiconductor region 61 a of theelement separation region 35. After forming the gate electrodes 37 to41, the second ion implantation of an p-type impurity is carried out tointegrally form the p-type impurity region 61 b of the elementseparation region 35 and the p-type accumulation layers 54 of thephotodiodes 32, 33. Further, in this embodiment, the n-type chargeaccumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 are formed to extendto the areas under the element separation region 35. The first andsecond p-type semiconductor regions 61 a, 61 b of the element separationregion 35 are formed after the p-type charge accumulation regions 53 ofthe photodiode 32, 33 have been formed.

In the first ion implantation, as in the previously describedembodiments, the dose amount is set on the order of 10¹² cm⁻². In thesecond ion implantation also, as in the previously describedembodiments, the dose amount is set equal to or below 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻²,preferably equal to or greater than 1×10¹³ cm⁻². As the impurity densitynecessary for element separation, as described above, there will be noproblem if it is equal to or below 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻², for example, on theorder of 10¹³ cm⁻².

Other parts of the configurations are substantially the same as thatdescribed in the first embodiment, and the descriptions thereof are thusomitted.

According to the MOS-type image sensor in the fifth embodiment of theinvention, because the n-type charge accumulation regions 53 of thephotodiodes 32, 33 are formed to be extended to the regions under theelement separation region 35 (i.e., the p-type semiconductor region 61a), it becomes possible to further bring the photodiodes 32, 33 close tothe pixel transistors to expand the areas of the photodiodes 32, 33.Accordingly, the characteristics such as the saturation charge amount,the sensitivity, and the like can be further enhanced. Further, becausethe p-type accumulation layer 53 and the second p-type semiconductorregion 61 b are formed continuously and integrally, the effects similarto those described in the third and first embodiments are produced.

FIG. 32 illustrates a solid-state imaging device, in this example, aMOS-type image sensor, according to the sixth embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 32 particularly illustrates an example of a regionincluding photodiodes, an element separation region, and pixeltransistors. FIG. 30 is a cross section on the B-B line of FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, an insulating film 57 having the film thicknesssubstantially the same as that of the gate insulating film 56 is formedonly on parts of the element separation region 35 under the protrusions62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41. In the region including parts of theelement separation region 35 other than the parts under the protrusions62 and the photodiodes 32, 33, an insulating film having the thicknessdifferent from that of the gate insulating film 56, for example, aninsulating film thicker than the gate insulating film 56 can be formed.

Other parts of the configuration are substantially the same as thosedescribed in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 7, and thedescriptions thereof are thus omitted.

According to the MOS-type image sensor in the sixth embodiment of theinvention, similar to the previously described embodiments, the areas ofthe photodiodes 32, 33 can be expanded by bringing the photodiodes 32,33 closer to the pixel transistors, and thereby the characteristics suchas the saturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like can beenhanced.

FIG. 33 illustrates a solid-state imaging device, in this example, aMOS-type image sensor, according to the seventh embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 33 particularly illustrates an embodiment of a regionincluding photodiodes, an element separation region, and pixeltransistors. FIG. 33 is a cross section on the B-B line of FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, before forming the gate electrodes 37 to 41 of thepixel transistors TrG1, TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL, the first p-typesemiconductor region 61 a constituting the element separation region isformed by the first ion implantation of p-type impurity. After formingthe gate electrodes 37 to 41, the p-type accumulation layers 53 of thephotodiodes 32, 33 and the second p-type semiconductor region 61 b,which will be utilized as the element separation region, are integrallyformed by the second ion implantation. The second ion implantation maybe carried out after forming sidewalls of the gate electrodes. Thesecond ion implantation is carried out at least after formation of thegate electrodes. Further, similar as described with reference to FIG.32, the insulating film 57 having the thickness substantially the sameas that of the gate insulating film 56 is formed only on parts of theelement separation region 35 under the protrusions of the gateelectrodes 37 to 41. It is possible to form an insulating film havingthe film thickness different from that of the gate insulating film(i.e., an insulating film thicker than the gate insulating film on partsof the element separation region 35, other than the parts under theprotrusions 62 or in the region including the parts of the elementseparation region 35 other than the parts under the protrusions 62 andthe photodiodes 32, 33).

Other parts of the configurations are substantially the same as thosedescribed with reference to the first embodiment and FIG. 27, and thedescriptions thereof are thus omitted.

According to the MOS-type image sensor according to the seventhembodiment of the invention, similarly as described above, the areas ofthe photodiodes 32, 33 can be expanded by bringing the photodiodes 32,33 in positions closer to the pixel transistors and the characteristicssuch as the saturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like canbe enhanced. In addition, because the second p-type semiconductor region61 b and the p-type accumulation layers 54 of the photodiodes 32, 33 arecontinuously and integrally formed by the second ion implantation forthe purpose of forming the element separation region 35, pixels of highorder of accuracy can be obtained.

FIG. 34 illustrates a solid-state imaging device, in this embodiment, aMOS-type image sensor, according to the eighth embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 34 particularly illustrates an example of a regionincluding photodiodes, an element separation region, and pixeltransistors. FIG. 34 is a cross section on the B-B line of FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, a p-type silicon substrate is used for thesemiconductor substrate 51. The configuration other than this issubstantially the same as that described in the first embodiment withreference to FIG. 7, and the descriptions thereof are thus omitted.

In the MOS-type image sensor according to the eighth embodiment of theinvention, similar as in the previously described embodiments, the areasof the photodiodes 32, 33 can be expanded by bringing the photodiodes32, 33 in positions closer to the pixel transistors, and thereby thecharacteristics such as the saturation charge amount, the sensitivity,and the like can be enhanced.

Now, description will be made with respect to manufacturing methods of asolid-state imaging device, in this example, a MOS-type image sensor,according to embodiments of the invention. In particular, thedescription will be made mainly with respect to manufacturing methods ofthe element separation region.

FIG. 35A, FIG. 35B, FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, and FIG. 36C illustrate amanufacturing method of a MOS-type image sensor according to the firstembodiment of the invention. FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, and FIG. 36C are crosssections along B-B lines of FIG. 35A and FIG. 35B. FIG. 35A and FIG. 35Bare cross sections along the B-B line of FIG. 13.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 35A and FIG. 36A, in the firstconductivity-type semiconductor substrate 51, for example, in an n-typesilicon semiconductor substrate, the p-type semiconductor well region 52as the second conductivity-type is formed. The n-type chargeaccumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 are formed in thep-type semiconductor well region 52, and also the source regions S andthe drain regions D of the pixel transistors are formed. Subsequently,the first ion implantation of p-type impurity, for example, boron iscarried out throughout the region that becomes the element separationregion, for example, through a mask 71 by means of an insulating filmformed on the surface of the substrate 51, to form the first p-typesemiconductor region 61 a of relatively low density. In this first ionimplantation, the dose amount is set for example at about 1×10¹² cm⁻².

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 36B, the gate insulating film 56 and theinsulating film 57 on the element separation region 35 and the n-typecharge accumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 aresimultaneously formed in the same thermal oxidation process. That is,essentially, a gate insulating film is formed in the whole region of thephotodiodes 32, 33, the element separation region 35, and the pixeltransistors. Then, the gate electrodes 37 to 41 are formed, for example,with a polysilicon film.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 35B and FIG. 36C, the second ionimplantation of the p-type impurity, for example, boron is carried outusing the gate electrodes 37 to 41 as parts of the ion implantationmask, and the p-type accumulation layers 54 on the surfaces of then-type charge accumulation regions 53 and the second p-typesemiconductor region 61 b of the element separation region 35 arecontinuously and simultaneously formed. In this second ion implantation,the dose amount is set at 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² or below, preferably at 1×10¹³cm⁻² or greater, for example at about 1×10¹³ cm⁻². The elementseparation region 35 is formed by the first and second p-typesemiconductor regions 61 a and 61 b. The element separation region 35 isformed between the photodiodes 32, 33 and the pixel transistors TrG1,TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL so as to contact the n-type chargeaccumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 and the pixeltransistors TrG1, TrG2, TrRST, TrAMP, TrSEL.

According to the manufacturing method of a MOS-type image sensor in thefirst embodiment of the invention, the gate insulating film 56 of thepixel transistors, the insulating film 57 on the element separationregion 35, and the photodiodes 32, 33 can be formed in the same thermaloxidation process with the thicknesses thereof made substantially thesame. Thereby, when forming the gate electrodes 37 to 41, for examplewith a polysilicon film, the length d1 of each protrusion 62 extendingtoward the element separation region 35 can have a relatively shortlength and yet the gate electrodes 37 to 41 can be formed in goodquality. Therefore, the n-type charge accumulation regions 53 of thephotodiodes 32, 33 can be formed in a region closer to the formationregion of the pixel transistors.

Because the first p-type semiconductor region 61 a in low density isformed in the whole region of the element separation region 35 includingthe parts under the protrusions 62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 bythe first ion implantation, charges generating from borders between thesilicon under the protrusions 62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 and theinsulating film can be eliminated, thereby decreasing the generation ofdark current and white spots can be decreased. On the other hand,because the gate electrodes 37 to 41 function as the parts of the maskin the second ion implantation, the second p-type semiconductor region61 b can be formed in self-alignment in the vicinity of the gateelectrodes 37 to 41. As compared with the case that the second p-typesemiconductor region 61 b of the element separation region 35 and thep-type accumulation layers 54 of the photodiodes 32 33 are formed inseparate ion implantation processes, there is no superimposing betweenthe photodiodes 32, 33 and the element separation region 35, so that thelayout of the pixel array is formed with accuracy.

With the above-described processes, the photodiodes 32, 33 can be formedwith the area ratio per a unit pixel of the photodiodes 32, 33 raised.Accordingly, even if the pixel is miniaturized, it is possible tomanufacture a MOS-type image sensor improved in the characteristics,such as the saturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like.

FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B each illustrate a manufacturing method of aMOS-type image sensor, according to the second embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B are cross sections corresponding toFIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, and FIG. 36C. FIG. 37A and FIG. 37B are crosssections along the B-B line of FIG. 13.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 37A, in the first conductivity-typesemiconductor substrate 51, for example, the p-type semiconductor wellregion 52 as the second conductivity-type is formed in an n-typesemiconductor region. In this p-type semiconductor well region 52, then-type charge accumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 areformed, and the source regions S and the drain regions D of the pixeltransistors are formed as well. Then, the gate insulating film 56, theinsulating film 57 on the element separation region 35, and the n-typecharge accumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 aresimultaneously formed with the same thermal oxidation process. That is,a gate insulating film is essentially formed on the whole region of thephotodiodes 32, 33, the element separation region 35, and the pixeltransistors. Subsequently, the gate electrodes 37 to 41 by means of apolysilicon film are formed.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 37B, the first ion implantation of thep-type impurity, for example, boron is carried out, using the gateelectrodes 37 to 41 as parts of the ion implantation mask, and thep-type accumulation layer 54 on the surface of the n-type chargeaccumulation region 53 and the p-type semiconductor region 61 of theelement separation region 35 are continuously and simultaneously formed.In this ion implantation, the dose amount is set at 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² orbelow. Preferably, it is set at 1×10¹³ cm⁻² or greater, for example, atabout 1×10¹³ cm⁻². The element separation region 35 is formed with thep-type semiconductor region 61 formed by the first ion implantation. Theelement separation region 35 is formed between the photodiodes 32, 33and the pixel transistors so as to contact the n-type chargeaccumulation regions 54 of the photodiodes 32, 33 and the pixeltransistors.

According to the manufacturing method of a MOS-type image sensor in thesecond embodiment of the invention, as in the first embodiment describedabove, the gate insulating film 56 of the pixel transistors and theinsulating film 57 on the element separation region 35 and thephotodiodes 32, 33 are formed in substantially the same thickness by thesame thermal oxidation process. Thereby, when forming the gateelectrodes 37 to 41, for example, with a polysilicon film, the length d1of the protrusions 62 extending toward the element separation region 35can have a relatively short length, and yet the gate electrodes 37 to 41can be formed in good quality. Therefore, it is possible to form then-type charge accumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 closerto the pixel transistor formation region.

Because the element separation region 35 by means of the p-typesemiconductor region 61 and the p-type accumulation layers 54 of thephotodiodes 32, 33 are simultaneously formed by the first ionimplantation, the number of manufacturing processes becomes less andmanufacturing becomes easier. In addition, the effects similar to thosein the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment areproduced.

FIG. 38A, FIG. 38B, FIG. 39C, and FIG. 39D illustrate a manufacturingmethod of a MOS-type image sensor, according to the third embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 38A, FIG. 38B, FIG. 39C, and FIG. 39D are crosssections corresponding to FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, and FIG. 36C. FIG. 38A,FIG. 38B, FIG. 39C, and FIG. 39D are cross sections along the B-B lineof FIG. 13.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 38A, the p-type semiconductor well region52 as the second conductivity-type is formed in the firstconductivity-type semiconductor substrate 51, for example, in an n-typesilicon semiconductor substrate. The n-type charge accumulation regions53 of the photodiodes are formed in the p-type semiconductor well region52, and also the source regions S and the drain regions D of the pixeltransistors are formed. Subsequently, the first ion implantation ofp-type impurity, for example, boron is carried out to the whole regionthat becomes the element separation region 35, through a mask 72 bymeans of an insulating film formed on the substrate surface, to form thefirst p-type semiconductor region 61 a of relatively low density. Forthe first ion implantation, for example, the dose amount is set at about1×10¹² cm⁻².

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 38B, the gate insulating film 56 and theinsulating film 57 on the element separation region 35 and the n-typecharge accumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes are simultaneouslyformed with the same thermal oxidation process. That is, essentially, agate insulating film is formed on the whole region of the photodiodes,32, 33, the element separation region 35, and the pixel transistors.Subsequently, the gate electrodes 37 to 41 for example by means of apolysilicon film are formed.

Next, as illustrated in 39C, a registration mask 73 is formed on then-type charge accumulation regions 53 and the pixel transistor region(including the source regions, the drain regions, and the channelregions). Using this registration mask 73 and parts (the protrusions 62)of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 as the ion implantation mask, the secondion implantation of p-type impurity, for example, boron is carried outto areas that become the element separation region 35, thereby formingthe second p-type semiconductor region 61 b of relatively high density.The second p-type semiconductor region 61 b is not introduced under theprotrusions 62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41. For the second ionimplantation, the dose amount is set at 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² or below.Preferably, it is set at 1×10¹³ cm⁻² or above, for example, at about1×10¹³ cm⁻². The element separation region 35 is formed by these firstand second p-type semiconductor regions 61 a, 61 b. This elementseparation region 35 is formed so as to contact the n-type chargeaccumulation regions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 and the pixeltransistors, between the photodiodes 32, 33 and the pixel transistors.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 39D, a registration mask 74 is formed inthe region except the region of the photodiodes 32, 33, and through thisregistration mask 74, the third ion implantation of p-type impurity, forexample, boron is carried out, and thereby the p-type accumulation layer54 is formed on the surface of the n-type charge accumulation region 53.For the third ion implantation, the dose amount is set at 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² orbelow, for example, at about 1×10¹³ cm⁻². The photodiodes 32 and 33include the p-type accumulation layer 54 and the n-type chargeaccumulation region 53.

According the manufacturing method of a MOS-type image sensor accordingto the third embodiment of the invention, as in the previously describedembodiments, the gate insulating film 56 of the pixel transistors andthe insulating film 57 of the element separation region 35 and thephotodiodes 32, 33 can be formed in substantially the same thickness bythe same heat oxidation process. Thereby, when forming the gateelectrodes 37 to 41 by means of a polysilicon film, the length d1 ofeach protrusion 62 extending toward the element separation region 35 canhave a relatively short length and yet, the gate electrodes 37 to 41 canbe formed in good quality. Therefore, the n-type charge accumulationregions 53 of the photodiodes can be formed closer to the pixeltransistor formation region.

With the above-described processes, the photodiodes 32, 33 can be formedwith the area ratio thereof per unit pixel area raised. Accordingly,even if the pixel is miniaturized, it is possible to manufacture aMOS-type image sensor enhanced in the characteristics such as thesaturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like.

Now, a manufacturing method of a MOS-type image sensor according to thefourth embodiment of the invention is described. Although not shown,formation of the first p-type semiconductor region 61 a in the thirdembodiment is omitted. That is, the gate insulating film 56 and theinsulating film 57 are formed, and after forming the gate electrodes 37to 41, a registration mask is formed on the n-type charge accumulationregion 53 and the transistor region (including the source regions, thedrain regions, and the channel regions). Using this registration maskand parts (protrusions) of the gate electrodes 37 to 41 as the ionimplantation mask, the first ion implantation of p-type impurity, forexample, boron is carried out to areas that become the elementseparation region 35 to form the p-type semiconductor region 61 ofrelatively high density. The p-type semiconductor region 61 is notintroduced under the protrusions 62 of the gate electrodes 37 to 41. Forthe first ion implantation, the dose amount is set at 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² orbelow. Preferably, it is set at 1×10¹³ cm⁻² or above, for example, atabout 1×10¹³ cm⁻².

Then, a registration mask is formed in the region other than the n-typecharge accumulation region 53, and through this registration mask, thesecond ion implantation of p-type impurity, for example, boron iscarried out to form the p-type accumulation layer 54 on the surface ofthe n-type charge accumulation region 53. For the second ionimplantation, the dose amount is set at 1×10¹⁴ cm⁻² or below, forexample, at about 1×10¹³ cm⁻². The photodiodes 32 and 33 are includingthe p-type accumulation layer 54 and the n-type charge accumulationregion 53.

In the manufacturing method of a MOS-type image sensor according to thefourth embodiment of the invention also, as described in the thirdembodiment, the gate insulating film 56 of the pixel transistors and theinsulating film 57 on the element separation region 35 and thephotodiodes 32, 33 are formed in substantially the same thickness by thesame heat oxidation process. Thereby, when forming the gate electrodes37 to 41 for example by means of a polysilicon film, the length d1 ofeach protrusion 62 extending toward the element separation region 35 canhave a relatively short length, and yet, the photodiodes 32, 33 can beformed in good quality. Therefore, the n-type charge accumulationregions 53 of the photodiodes 32, 33 can be formed closer to the pixeltransistor formation region.

With the above-described processes, the photodiodes 32, 33 can be formedwith the area ratio thereof per unit pixel area raised. Accordingly,even if pixels are miniaturized, it is possible to manufacture aMOS-type image sensor enhanced in the characteristics, such as thesaturation charge amount, the sensitivity, and the like.

Description is now made with respect to a manufacturing method of aMOS-type image sensor according to the fifth embodiment of theinvention. Although not illustrated, the method includes a step offorming the n-type charge accumulation region 53 constituting thephotodiodes 32, 33 to be extended to the region under the elementseparation region 35. Thereafter, the processes in the above-describedfirst through fourth embodiments are carried out, and thereby theMOS-type image sensor is manufactured.

According to the manufacturing method according to the fifth embodimentof the invention, because the n-type charge accumulation regions 53 ofthe photodiodes 32, 33 are formed to be extended to the region under theelement separation region 35, it is possible to manufacture a MOS-typeimage sensor in which the areas of the photodiodes 32, 33 has beenfurther expanded.

Here, although the gate insulating film 56 and the insulating film 57are formed by thermal oxidation, because the oxidation rate is differentdepending on the conductivity type of the underground semiconductorregion, that is, depending on whether it is the p-type or n-type, thethickness of the thermal oxidation film becomes different in a strictsense. The thickness of a gate insulating film is generally about 60angstrom, however, difference of about from 1 angstrom to 5 angstromoccurs. The thermal oxidation film is generally formed thicker in then-type region than in the p-type region. However, the film thicknessdifference in this degree can be negligible and does not have anyinfluence on formation of gate electrodes. Accordingly, the thermaloxidation film continuously formed on the transistor region, the elementseparation region, and the photodiodes in the same thermal oxidationprocess can be regarded practically as a flat surface.

In the above-described embodiments, the description has been made takingas an example a MOS-type image sensor, in which pixel transistors areshared by two pixels, however, the invention can be applied to aMOS-type image sensor in which pixel transistors are shared by pluralpixels other than two, or to a MOS-type image sensor in which a unitpixel includes one photodiode and a plurality of pixel transistors.

In the above-described embodiments, a case has been taken as an examplethat an n-channel MOS transistor is used for each pixel transistor,however, the invention is not limited to this, and a p-channel MOStransistor can be also used for each pixel transistor. The elementseparation region is formed of a semiconductor region of a conductivitytype opposite to that of the source region and the drain region of thepixel transistor. In the above examples, the n-type is made the firstconductivity-type and the p-type is made the second conductivity-type.However, in the case of the opposite conductivity type, the p-type ismade the first conductivity-type and the n-type is made the secondconductivity-type.

In the above-described embodiments, the description has be made takingan example case that the invention is applied to an area sensor in whichpixels are two-dimensionally arranged with regularity, however, theinvention is not limited to such an area sensor and can be applied alsoto a line sensor in which a plurality of pixels are arranged on astraight line in one-dimensional alignment.

The invention can be applied to either a front-surface incident type MOSimage sensor or a rear-surface incident type MOS image sensor.

The solid-state imaging device, more concretely, the MOS-type imagesensor, according to an embodiment of the invention is suitably used asthe one mounted in mobile apparatuses, such as a mobile-phone with acamera, a PAD, and the like.

In particular, when the pixel size has been miniaturized as the numberof pixels is increased, the invention provides improvement in the arearatio of photodiodes per a unit pixel while suppressing occurrence ofdark current and white spots, which is extremely useful.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, subcombinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric apparatus comprising: a solid-stateimaging device including: a gate electrode of a first transfertransistor between a floating diffusion unit and a first photodiode in alayout of a pixel array; a gate electrode of a second transfertransistor between the floating diffusion unit and a second photodiodein the layout of the pixel array; a gate electrode of a selectiontransistor between a first semiconductor region and a secondsemiconductor region in the layout of the pixel array; a gate electrodeof an amplification transistor between the second semiconductor regionand a third semiconductor region in the layout of the pixel array; andan element separation region between the first photodiode and the gateelectrode of the amplification transistor in the layout of the pixelarray, wherein the gate electrode of the amplification transistorextends over a part of the element separation region, a signalprocessing circuit coupled to the solid-state imaging device.
 2. Theelectric apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first semiconductorregion and the second semiconductor region are of a firstconductivity-type, the element separation region is of a secondconductivity-type.
 3. The electric apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the first conductivity-type is N-type and the secondconductivity-type is P-type.
 4. The electric apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the floating diffusion unit is of the firstconductivity-type.
 5. The electric apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the first conductivity-type is opposite to the secondconductivity-type.
 6. The electric apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first transfer transistor is controllable to provide anelectrical connection and disconnection between the floating diffusionunit and the first photodiode.
 7. The electric apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the second transfer transistor is controllable toprovide an electrical connection and disconnection between the floatingdiffusion unit and the second photodiode.
 8. The electric apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the gate electrode of the amplificationtransistor is electrically connected to the floating diffusion unit. 9.The electric apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a firstline electrically connected to the gate electrode of the first transfertransistor.
 10. The electric apparatus according to claim 9, furthercomprising: a second line electrically connected to the gate electrodeof the second transfer transistor.
 11. The electric apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a gate electrode of a reset transistorbetween the third semiconductor region and a fourth semiconductor regionin the layout of the pixel array.
 12. The electric apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein the first semiconductor region and the thirdsemiconductor region are of a same conductivity-type, the secondsemiconductor region and the fourth semiconductor region are of the sameconductivity-type.
 13. The electric apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the fourth semiconductor region is electrically connected to thefloating diffusion unit.